IU chemistry professor dies of complications from COVID-19

Dennis Peters, a chemistry professor who joined the Indiana University faculty nearly 60 years ago and taught an estimated 15,000 undergraduate students, died Monday from complications related to COVID-19. He was 82.

On Wednesday, the death of a second Monroe County resident from COVID-19 was announced by government officials. Because of privacy restrictions, it was not clear if the person added to the county death list was Peters.

“He was a very dear colleague,” said Caroline Jarrold, IU Department of Chemistry chair. “Everybody in the department knew him and loved him.”

Peters was teaching right up until IU’s spring break last month. He joined the IU faculty in 1962, after earning his Ph.D. in analytical chemistry from Harvard University earlier that year. He was named the Herman T. Briscoe professor in 1975.

During his time at IU, Peters received 11 teaching awards from the university. He regularly taught the introductory chemistry course for freshmen science majors. He mentored more than 40 graduate students in his research group and had about 30 undergraduate students as coauthors on his publications.

Peters was the coauthor of five undergraduate textbooks on analytical chemistry. Those books have been translated into multiple languages and sold more than 120,000 copies worldwide, according to a memorial on the chemistry department website.

In 2006, Peters was recognized for his 50-year membership in the American Chemical Society, and in 2007 he was elected Fellow of The Electrochemical Society. He received a Distinguished Service Award from IU in 2005 and the W. George Pinnell Award for Outstanding Service at IU in 2006.

Peters has served the chemistry department as associate chair, graduate adviser, director of general chemistry, coordinator of undergraduate studies and adviser for graduate students in the Master of Arts for Teachers Program.

“When we are able to get back together again, there will be an enormous celebration of his life,” Jarrold said.

Followed notifications

Please log in to use this feature

COVID-19 COUNT

Jun 5, 2020

Updated 12 hrs ago

Last updated noon Saturday, June 6, from the Indiana State Department of Health. Cases are listed by county of residence. Private lab reporting may be delayed and will be reflected in the map and count when results are received at ISDH.

Enter the Curbside Sweepstakes for a chance to win one of two $50 gift cards to either of our great sponsors, Cafe Pizzaria and Juannita's! PLUS, check out our Curbside Directory, a great new restaurant directory to help support your local businesses!